MET Opera Postpones Lockout

2 years ago

The Metropolitan Opera put the brakes on a threatened lockout of its union employees Thursday night, agreeing to a 72-hour postponement.

General manager Peter Gelb called the delay a "one-time only extension," and said the move was intended to give the Met's mediator, who arrived late Thursday afternoon, a chance to succeed.

"We think that if there is a deal to get done, it will get done in the next 72 hours," he said. "Hopefully, we will get one done."

The Met on Thursday night did reach deals with three of its smaller unions, representing call-center workers, building engineers, ushers, ticket takers, cleaning staff and security guards, Mr. Gelb said. Those agreements still must be ratified.